Soon regional office of FCI in Tripura, Sushanta Chowdhury

Soon the regional office of Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be set up in Tripura, said Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, Chowdhury accompanied by secretaries and directors of different departments of the state government highlighted his achievements for welfare of the state during his recent Delhi tour, where met number of Union Ministers

Chowdhury on Tuesday met Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pralhad Joshi and highlighted developmental activities of the Food and Civil Supplies department of Tripura government and demanded for setting up a regional office for FCI. He also placed a demand for hike in ration dealer commission and other improved facilities for the Food department and for smart public distribution system (PDS).

The Union Minister assured us that he would look into the matter seriously to set up an FCI regional office in Agartala. Additionally, the Centre has agreed to clear pending reimbursement bills amounting to Rs 53.17 crore to the state, said Chowdhury.

He said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has assured to approach the Union home ministry to facilitate the opening of a customs check-post at Agartala airport, paving the way for its designation as an international airport.

Before an airport can be declared an international airport, the Union home ministry must approve the establishment of a customs check-post for immigration services.

Chowdhury said that in his recent meeting with Naidu in his office in New Delhi and sought his intervention in setting up an immigration facility at Agartala airport.

Chowdhury said Naidu is likely to visit the abandoned Kailashahar airport in Unakoti district to assess its condition and make a final decision regarding its revival.

The state government requested the revival of the abandoned Kailashahar airport by carrying out necessary renovation. Naidu assured that he will visit the site after the Budget session of Lok Sabha for a final decision on reusing it for small planes, Chowdhury added.

"I sought the intervention of the civil aviation minister regarding high airfare in the Agartala sector. Aviation companies are determining the fare, which I requested to bring under govt control to put a cap and the Union minister assured me to see the options," Chowdhury said. Considering the interests of air passengers in the state, concerns were raised about escalating airfares. The Union Minister was requested to intervene and introduce regulatory measures to ensure affordability. Additionally, a proposal was made to introduce more flight services from MBB Airport in Agartala to improve connectivity,” Chowdhury added.

The Transport Minister also held discussions with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on various development projects for Tripura.

Chowdhury requested the introduction of Vande Bharat Express up to Agartala to enhance railway connectivity. Currently, 14 express trains operate to and from Agartala and also sought Railway Minister’s intervention in converting the single railway track between Dharmanagar and Sabroom into a double line for faster train services. The Union Minister assured us that he would look into these demands, said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury, also holding the tourism portfolio, met Union minister for tourism Gajendra Shekwat and said the central govt would give Rs 150 crore for the development of Tripura tourism.

 “The Union Minister assured full cooperation from the Centre in developing Tripura’s tourism industry. He acknowledged the state’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and potential to emerge as a major tourist destination in the region,” the minister said.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Tripura’s Tourism department, including the secretary and director. “With this additional funding, Tripura is set to strengthen its position as a key tourist hub in the Northeast,” Chowdhury added.